Conostegia dissitinervia (Kriebel, Almeda & A. Estrada) Kriebel, 2016

Kriebel, Ricardo, 2016, A Monograph of Conostegia (Melastomataceae, Miconieae), PhytoKeys 67, pp. 1-326 : 166

Conostegia dissitinervia (Kriebel, Almeda & A. Estrada) Kriebel comb. nov. Fig. 151

Conostegia dissitinervia (Kriebel, Almeda & A. Estrada) Kriebel. Basionym: Miconia dissitinervia Kriebel, Almeda & A. Estrada, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci, series 4, 56(37): 678, f. 2A-C, f. 3A-G. 2005. Type: Costa Rica. San José: Turrubares, San Juan de Mata, Lajas, área no protegida, 942'20"N 8435'13"W, 600 m, 26 November 2001, A. Estrada, Chacón, R., & A. Ruiz, et al. 3101 (holotype: CR!, isotype: CAS!, INB!, MO).

Description.

Small tree 2-5 m tall with somewhat angled stems that become terete and which are densely covered with lightly orange stellate hairs; the nodal line the nodal line evident. Leaves of a pair equal to unequal in length. Petiole 0.8-3.8 cm. Leaves at a node equal to unequal in size. Leaf blade 10-44.1 × 5-17.2 cm, 3-5 plinerved, with the inner pairs of subparallel veins arising up to about 8 cm above the base in opposite to alternate fashion, elliptic to elliptic ovate, the base acute to decurrent on the petiole, the apex acuminate to long-acuminate, the margin entire to inconspicuously crenulate, the adaxial surface glabrous when mature,the abaxial surface whitish from the entire cover of stellate trichomes. Inflorescence a terminal erect panicle 7.8-13.2 cm long branching above the base, accessory branches present, the axis covered with stellate hairs, bracteoles 1-2 × 0.25-0.5 mm, linear, caducous. Pedicel 0.25-0.5 mm long. Flowers 5-merous, calyx in bud not calyptrate but closed in bud and crowned by an apiculum, rupturing irregularly at anthesis into 2-5 hyaline lobes 0.75-1.25 mm long, buds 2.5-4 × 1.4-2.3 mm, the hypanthium urceolate, 1.75-2.25 × 1.75-2 mm, covered by stellate hairs, calyx tube 0.25 mm long, the calyx teeth narrowly triangular, 0.15-0.35 mm long, torus glabrous. Petals 1.5-2 × 1.25-1.75 mm, translucent white, oblong to ovate, reflexed at anthesis, the apex rounded to emarginate, papillose adaxially. Stamens 10, 2.5-3.5 mm long, radially arranged around the style, the filaments 1.5-2 mm long, with a geniculation near the apex, white, anthers 1.25-1.75 × 0.25-0.75 mm, linear-oblong, yellow, laterally compressed, apiculate at the apex, the pore ca. 0.15 mm, ventrally inclined. Ovary 5-locular, inferior. Style 4-5.25 mm long, straight to slightly gradually bent, vertical distance from the anther pore to the stigma 1.25-2.75 mm, horizontal distance absent, stigma punctiform, 0.35-0.5 mm wide. Berry 4-5 × 4-5 mm, purple black. Seeds 0.3-0.5 mm, pyramidate, the testa muriculate to papillate.

Distribution

(Fig. 152 ). Restricted to central and south Pacific slope of Costa Rica and barely getting into Panama, 0-600 m in elevation.

Conostegia dissitinervia can be recognized by its large leaves with acute to decurrent leaf bases that are abaxially covered with stellate trichomes and are strongly plinerved. In addition, the flowers have a fused calyx that ruptures irregularly and this species tends to have a very exserted style as many other species in section Geniculatae . The acute anther apex is distinctive. This species has been confused with Miconia argentea in herbaria because of the similar colored abaxial leaf surface as a result of the leaf indument. They are easily distinguished because Miconia argentea has nerved leaf venation whereas Conostegia dissitinervia is strongly plinerved. In the molecular phylogeny this species forms a well supported sister pair with Conostegia centrosperma which it resembles. See the discussion under the latter species for the differences between the two.

Specimens examined.

COSTA RICA. Puntarenas: Península de Osa, about 5 km west of Rincón de Osa, Burger and Liesner 7253 (NY); Península de Osa, Cerca del Río Piro, Kriebel et al. 5046 (INB, NY); Península de Osa, Guadalupe La Tarde, Kriebel et al. 5377 (INB, NY).

Figures

Figure 151. Conostegia dissitinervia. A Leaf abaxial surface. Inflorescence C Close up of flower D Infructescence E Flower bud with irregularly rupturing calyx F Pickled flower G External view of a hypanthium at anthesis with all parts removed H Internal view of a hypanthium at anthesis with all parts removed I Petal J Stamen K Style. Photos of A-C of specimen vouchered R. Kriebel 5046, and D-K of specimen vouchered R. Kriebel 5377.

Figure 152. Distribution of Conostegia dissitinervia.